Walking through the doors of Storybrooke's one and only high school was the hardest thing he'd ever done. As soon as he exited the car, the fifteen year old felt his limbs stiffen, each step forward feeling infinitely harder than the last. He had reviewed hundreds of scenarios on how the day could go in his head, and eventually figured that the only way to overcome the stress about what could happen was to face it head on. August had been texting with him practically all night, reassuring him that everything would be fine as long as he didn't think too much. It was a relief to know that at least one person at school was there to support him, even if everyone else had hundreds of questions about what happened to his family over the past month.

The hallway was flooded with students going both directions, a mad dash before the start of first period. Roland gripped his backpack nervously as he scanned his surroundings looking for August. Since they were in different grades, he wouldn't be able to talk with him until lunch. As he got closer to his classroom, Roland gathered his courage, knowing that it was up to him to face his fears. All of the students instantly locked eyes on the fifteen year old as he entered the room, the mystery involving his family at the front of everyone's minds.

His hands were sweaty and shaking, but the teenager made it to his desk anyways, sitting in a slump and averting his eyes. Just when all seemed lost, a soft voice cut through his intrusive thoughts.

"Roland, hey! Thank goodness you're back- I almost forgot what you looked like."

Roland glanced over to see Alex at the desk next to his, a comforting smile on her face. Seeing her instantly made his tension lessen.

"It's been a while, did I miss much around here?"

"Just algebra and football drama, nothing special. I'm trying out for drill team next week."

"For the fall? Are we really that close to being done with sophomore year?"

Alex let out a soft laugh, nodding her head. "Crazy how fast time goes by. August is going to be a senior- only a year away from leaving this mess behind."

For a second, Roland failed to clue in that the three of them were such good friends. That life seemed to be a distant memory, something left in the past.

Alex's expression turned hesitant as she continued. "I don't know if you know about Brandt and I- we've been going out for five weeks now."

Despite how terrified he had been to talk about Alex's romance, bringing it then didn't feel weird at all. He had liked her at the beginning of the school year, but jealousy wasn't an emotion he currently felt in that classroom.

"Yeah, August told me not too long ago," he replied, giving her a smile. "I'm happy for you, really. It's about time something good happened around here."

He wondered then how she would respond if he said his truth right then and there. The words could easily have left his mouth- then there would be no secrets between them. But, instead, no words came.

"That means a lot, really." Alex told him, just as their teacher entered the room. All the surrounding conversations came to a quick stop. Roland attempted to pay attention to the lesson, something about how Shakespeare's writing was composed. He practically counted the minutes until their lunch period, where he knew August would be waiting.

Alex had stuck by his side throughout the entire day, much to his relief, and accompanied him to the cafeteria. Every single person they passed by was someone Roland knew well, having been in his class from grade to grade since the beginning. He continued to wonder what they all thought of him and his month long absence. Those thoughts dissolved as soon as he spotted August sitting at their usual table, hard at work quickly finishing some homework that was probably due next period. He glanced upwards and smiled towards his two friends as they sat down across from him.

"The gang is finally back together!" He exclaimed, forgetting about his homework entirely. "How's the first day back?"

Roland attempted to mirror his enthusiasm, but he couldn't get over the strangeness of the situation. The memory of him scaling the oak tree in the backyard still remained at the front of his mind.

"It hasn't been too bad- I just don't have a clue what anyone's talking about though."

August gave a lighthearted laugh. "Who cares? You have the most interesting family in this entire town. By the way, when can we come over to see everyone?"

The last thing Roland wanted to do was throw more fuel to the fire by bringing August into his family mess. He cringed inwardly with the knowledge that his mom knew about whatever was going on between them. Would she tell his dad, or Henry, or Caroline?

"One of these days," he eventually replied, starting to eat his lunch. "Things are still hectic at the house. We're trying to remember how to live together again."

Alex noticed easily the heaviness in his voice, and came to his aid with a comforting hand on his shoulder. "It'll take time. Everything worth while does."

His eyes locked with August's, and for a moment they held one another's gaze. He could sense his nervousness about the whole situation, about how Alex would react when she learned of their relationship. It was no secret that the odds were against them, that there would be judgements and gossip. There were so many people that still didn't know they were dating- telling his mother had been stressful all on it's own. He couldn't fathom having to do it that way again. That's why, despite August's expression of protest, Roland opened his mouth anyway.

"I have to tell you something Alex," he began, rushing his words before he lost momentum, "August and I- we're... together."

As soon as he finished his sentence, he could feel August's emotions escalate from across the table. A second of silence went by, feeling like a bomb had just gone off.

"Oh, wow- really?" Alex stuttered, her eyes full of surprise, "that's awesome! How long has this been going on for?"

When August failed to respond, Roland knew he was pissed. He was looking down at his unfinished sheets of homework, trying to resist the redness that was forming across his freckled face.

"Not very long. No one else knows yet, so if you could keep it between us three..."

"Of course I will. Thanks for telling me, really. I'm glad we're all good friends."

She contemplated what to say next, noticing how withdrawn August was being. "Maybe one of these days you two can do a double date with Brandt and I- we could think of something fun to do."

August finally looked up, avoiding Roland entirely. "Yeah, maybe- I gotta get to shop class."

The bell rang mid sentence, and the seventeen year old immediately got up to throw the rest of his food away.

"I'll talk to you later," Roland told Alex, quickly following August before he got too far away, dodging crowds of students.

"Hey, I'm sorry," he began, struggling to keep a close distance as they walked down the hallway. "Telling people is just so hard for me, I figured I'd just get it out of the way. Besides, it's just Alex- we've been friends since we were five."

August passed the door to his shop class, his jaw clenched tightly. Soon the two of them were headed for the back door, despite the day only being half over.

"Where are you going?"

With no response, Roland continued to follow him into the parking lot, the sun shining brightly and blurring his senses.

"I said I was sorry! Why are you acting like this?"

Stopping to face him, August glared at him. "Did you really have to blurt that out? It's only your first day back!"

"It's not like I told the entire school! Do you not trust Alex?"

The distress was evident on his face, and so was his exhaustion. Roland felt the guilt he hadn't allowed himself to feel to rush through his body, causing him to lean against one of the cars in the parking lot in defeat.

"Look, I really am sorry. You know how stressed out I get about people finding out... I didn't want it to be hard when I told Alex. Besides you, she's the one true friend I have at this school."

August followed his actions and leaned up against the car, almost shoulder to shoulder with the person that was giving him so much grief.

"I'm not worried about Alex, I'm worried about her dumbass boyfriend- did you forget that he's captain of the football team?"

Roland sighed deeply, glancing up at the cloudless blue sky while trying to arrange his thoughts.

"Well maybe it won't be that bad if people knew about us. That's what we both want eventually, right?"

"Yeah, eventually," August replied, turning his head towards him, "and on our terms. I have a say in what happens in this relationship too you know."

There was a brief silence between them.

"This is still all new to me," he continued, "and it's new to you too- I just don't know how I feel about everyone knowing right now."

Roland understood what he meant, feeling the same about it himself. Still, a question was still at the front of his mind, begging to be asked.

"Are you... embarrassed to be with me?"

August's blue eyes turned concerned, his hand finding his and squeezing it tight. "I'm not embarrassed to be with you, not at all. I just want to take this slowly. Roland... the morning when I climbed that tree... I meant every word I said."

A smile soon crept onto Roland's face, basking in the comfort that followed a simple hand hold.

"I really am sorry."

"I know. Now let's get out of here before someone sees us."